Veteran slugger David Ortiz wins the All-Star Game’s Home Run Derby with a dazzling performance, lining ball after ball into the right field stands at Angel Stadium, for a total of 32 long balls – 11 of them in the final round, where he defeats fellow Dominican Hanley Ramirez. He dedicates his performance to his friend, pitcher Jose Lima, who passed away suddenly a few weeks earlier.

ByBaseball

Veteran slugger David Ortiz wins the All-Star Game’s Home Run Derby with a dazzling performance, lining ball after ball into the right field stands at Angel Stadium, for a total of 32 long balls – 11 of them in the final round, where he defeats fellow Dominican Hanley Ramirez. He dedicates his performance to his friend, pitcher Jose Lima, who passed away suddenly a few weeks earlier.

The Cubs and Cardinals split a day/night doubleheader at Wrigley Field. Chicago wins the opener, 7 – 3, on home runs by Micah Hoffpauir and P Carlos Zambrano, and the Cards take the nightcap, 4 – 2. Ryan Ludwick hits two two-run home runs to account for all of St. Louis’s runs; Adam Wainwright picks up his 10th win and Ryan Franklin strikes out the side in the 9th for his 21st save. As a result, the first four teams in the NL Central are within 3 1/2 games of each other heading into the All-Star break.

ByBaseball

The Cubs and Cardinals split a day/night doubleheader at Wrigley Field. Chicago wins the opener, 7 – 3, on home runs by Micah Hoffpauir and P Carlos Zambrano, and the Cards take the nightcap, 4 – 2. Ryan Ludwick hits two two-run home runs to account for all of St. Louis’s runs; Adam Wainwright picks up his 10th win and Ryan Franklin strikes out the side in the 9th for his 21st save. As a result, the first four teams in the NL Central are within 3 1/2 games of each other heading into the All-Star break.

The Red Sox dedicate the center-field flagpole to Dom DiMaggio by raising a banner just below the stars and stripes with the former center fielder’s name on it. After the ceremony, his widow, Emily, throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Fenway Park contest against Kansas City.

ByTom

The Red Sox dedicate the center-field flagpole to Dom DiMaggio by raising a banner just below the stars and stripes with the former center fielder’s name on it. After the ceremony, his widow, Emily, throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Fenway Park contest against Kansas City.

During the All-Star Game Town Hall discussion, Bud Selig, believing the designated hitter is a big part of the game, states the rule will remain in use for the foreseeable future. The commissioner however makes it clear the National League will not adopt the 1973 addition to the American League rule book.

ByBaseball

During the All-Star Game Town Hall discussion, Bud Selig, believing the designated hitter is a big part of the game, states the rule will remain in use for the foreseeable future. The commissioner however makes it clear the National League will not adopt the 1973 addition to the American League rule book.

At the Home Run Derby in Detroit, Bobby Abreu shatters the records for a single round, the championship round and the grand total for all three rounds of the derby by hitting 41 dingers into every part of Comerica Park. The Phillies outfielder, who is representing Venezuela in the event’s new international format, goes deep 24 times in the first round, tacks on six more in the second round and finishes with 11 more in the championship round.

ByBaseball

At the Home Run Derby in Detroit, Bobby Abreu shatters the records for a single round, the championship round and the grand total for all three rounds of the derby by hitting 41 dingers into every part of Comerica Park. The Phillies outfielder, who is representing Venezuela in the event’s new international format, goes deep 24 times in the first round, tacks on six more in the second round and finishes with 11 more in the championship round.

Three Minnesota players homer twice in the Twins’ 13 – 5 defeat of Milwaukee. Jacque Jones, Torii Hunter and Corey Koskie each hit a pair of four-baggers to tie a major league record.

ByBaseball

Three Minnesota players homer twice in the Twins’ 13 – 5 defeat of Milwaukee. Jacque Jones, Torii Hunter and Corey Koskie each hit a pair of four-baggers to tie a major league record.

The Phillies trade hurler Andy Ashby, 33, to the Braves for pitchers Bruce Chen and Jimmy Osting. Chen, who made 22 appearances for the Braves this year, all in relief, will make 15 appearances for the Phils – all starts.

ByBaseball

The Phillies trade hurler Andy Ashby, 33, to the Braves for pitchers Bruce Chen and Jimmy Osting. Chen, who made 22 appearances for the Braves this year, all in relief, will make 15 appearances for the Phils – all starts.

In a six-player deal, the Reds trade Denny Neagle (8-2, 3.52) and outfielder Mike Frank to the Yankees for minor league third baseman Drew Henson, outfielder Jackson Melian and pitchers Brian Reith and Ed Yarnall. None of the four top prospects acquired by the Reds will pan out.

ByBaseball

In a six-player deal, the Reds trade Denny Neagle (8-2, 3.52) and outfielder Mike Frank to the Yankees for minor league third baseman Drew Henson, outfielder Jackson Melian and pitchers Brian Reith and Ed Yarnall. None of the four top prospects acquired by the Reds will pan out.

Mark McGwire becomes the second player to hit 40 home runs in both leagues. The Cardinals’ first baseman, who accomplished the feat three times with the A’s, joins Darrell Evans, who hit 41 with the Braves (1973) and 40 with the Tigers (1985).

ByThis Day in Baseball

Mark McGwire becomes the second player to hit 40 home runs in both leagues. The Cardinals’ first baseman, who accomplished the feat three times with the A’s, joins Darrell Evans, who hit 41 with the Braves (1973) and 40 with the Tigers (1985).

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1997 – Pittsburgh’s Francisco Cordova and Ricardo Rincon team to no-hit the Astros, 3-0, in ten innings. Cordova is flawless through the first nine, but Chris Holt and Billy Wagner shut down the Pirates. After a perfect 10th from Rincon, John Hudek walks two then surrenders a three-run blast to Mark Smith. 

ByTom

1997 – Pittsburgh’s Francisco Cordova and Ricardo Rincon team to no-hit the Astros, 3-0, in ten innings. Cordova is flawless through the first nine, but Chris Holt and Billy Wagner shut down the Pirates. After a perfect 10th from Rincon, John Hudek walks two then surrenders a three-run blast to Mark Smith.